Alexander Jahnke1, Carlos A Fonseca Ulloa2, Jörn Bengt Seeger3, Markus Rickert3, Gerhard Walter Jahnke2, Gafar Adam Ahmed3, Bernd Alexander Ishaque3. 1. Laboratory of Biomechanics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstrasse 29, 35392 Giessen, Germany. Electronic address: Alexander.Jahnke@ortho.med.uni-giessen.de. 2. Laboratory of Biomechanics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstrasse 29, 35392 Giessen, Germany. 3. Laboratory of Biomechanics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstrasse 29, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg (UKGM), Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The resultant hip force causes a varus torque which must be compensated by a shear force couple depending on the stem alignment of the prosthesis. Since the prosthesis is substantially less flexible than the bone, the interior of the femur is stiffened over the entire prosthesis length. The present study thus aims at analyzing short-stem prostheses for its elastic bending characteristics, considering inappropriate valgus alignment of the prosthetic stem. METHODS: Five short stem prostheses were implanted each in synthetic femora in a standardized manner - in neutral and valgus stem alignments. Bending movements were recorded applying a tilting torque MX of ±3.5 Nm in medio-lateral direction. Variance analyses and Friedman tests were used. A P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. FINDINGS: Bending movements b1-b6 showed significant differences (P < .05). It could be shown that different stem alignments (P < .05) and different measuring points had a highly significant influence (P < .001) on the relative movements. Compared to the AIDA®, the MiniHip™ as well as the Metha® stiffened the femur to a higher degree (P < .001). INTERPRETATION: Regarding the elastic bending behavior we see a relevant influence of the stems´ design. We conclude that the short-stem principle does not necessarily require the shortest possible prosthesis but rather a long and thin extending stem tip to optimize the lever ratios, ensuring a more physiological bending behavior of the femur. In addition, without sufficient anchoring of the prosthesis, the valgus stem alignment could favor tilting of the implant and should therefore be avoided.
BACKGROUND: The resultant hip force causes a varus torque which must be compensated by a shear force couple depending on the stem alignment of the prosthesis. Since the prosthesis is substantially less flexible than the bone, the interior of the femur is stiffened over the entire prosthesis length. The present study thus aims at analyzing short-stem prostheses for its elastic bending characteristics, considering inappropriate valgus alignment of the prosthetic stem. METHODS: Five short stem prostheses were implanted each in synthetic femora in a standardized manner - in neutral and valgus stem alignments. Bending movements were recorded applying a tilting torque MX of ±3.5 Nm in medio-lateral direction. Variance analyses and Friedman tests were used. A P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. FINDINGS: Bending movements b1-b6 showed significant differences (P < .05). It could be shown that different stem alignments (P < .05) and different measuring points had a highly significant influence (P < .001) on the relative movements. Compared to the AIDA®, the MiniHip™ as well as the Metha® stiffened the femur to a higher degree (P < .001). INTERPRETATION: Regarding the elastic bending behavior we see a relevant influence of the stems´ design. We conclude that the short-stem principle does not necessarily require the shortest possible prosthesis but rather a long and thin extending stem tip to optimize the lever ratios, ensuring a more physiological bending behavior of the femur. In addition, without sufficient anchoring of the prosthesis, the valgus stem alignment could favor tilting of the implant and should therefore be avoided.
Authors: Gafar Adam Ahmed; Linda Auge; Jessica Loke; Carlos Alfonso Fonseca Ulloa; Christian Fölsch; Markus Rickert; Bernd Alexander Ishaque; Alexander Jahnke Journal: J Orthop Date: 2020-06-06